Physician assistants, PAs, are trained medical personnel who help physicians in several ways. Unlike medical assistants, Physician Assistants can also make diagnoses, order and interpret tests and x-rays, and examine and treat patients. Physician assistants receive an education in anatomy and general medicine. They have very rewarding careers and can spend much of their time hands on with patients. Many colleges, including community colleges, have physician assistants training programs. Most of these programs require a bachelors degree and some experience in the medical field. Salaries are competitive and there is good job security. Now is a great time to consider your training options!
To become a physician assistant start at an accredited university and pursue a bachelors degree in health science or another health related area. During the four years spent obtaining a bachelors degree, it is best to get as much medical experience as possible, either through internships or other means. When a student applies to the physician assistants programs, one of the things that will be strongly preferred by program directors is extensive medical knowledge and at least two years of hands on experience. Most PA programs also prefer applicants to apply through an organization called CASPA (Central Application Service for Physician Assistants). These applications take a long time to complete and should be started early. Some universities or PA programs will request that you fill out the CASPA application in addition to the program’s application. It is helpful to note that the majority of CASPA applicants are around age 27, with a bachelor’s degree and at least three years experience in medicine. The majority of PA programs take at least two years to complete for full-time students.

A possible alternative to the four-year degree is attaining a two-year nursing degree or paramedic training and then working for two or three years in medicine. This may relieve some of the financial burden on the way to becoming a PA. Some programs will not accept this, but PA programs vary widely and it is a great idea to explore several programs and education options.

Appropriatly educated PAs need to register with the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and pass the Physician Assistants National Certifying Examination before beginning a practice.  A a physician asstistant is then given the title Physician Assistant-Certified. To remain certified, Physicians Assistants must complete 100 hours of continuing education every two years and pass the a recertification examination every six years.

In practice, Physicians Assistants work one on one with patients, occasionally consulting a medical doctor or referring patients to specialists. Some Physician Assistants specialize into areas such as pediatrics, neonatal care, rural primary care, or surgery. Most physician assistants work in clinics under a supervising physician. Some work out of more than one health care facility.

Jobs for Physician assistants are expected to grow faster than usual as baby boomers age, increasing the demand for trained medical professionals. Wages are also high.